After emigrating from Italy during the Second World War following
a devastating loss to the family business, the Magni family immersed
themselves in South African culture and re-built their business
manufacturing quality blankets and throws. IndustrySA speaks to
Managing Director, Nicola Magni, to learn more about the company’s
success and the imminent challenges facing the textile industry.
Aranda Textile Mill was established in
1951 after Managing Director, Nicola Magni’s
Father emigrated into South Africa following the
effects of the Second World War, “We had factories in
Florence, Italy, but they were unfortunately destroyed
by the Germans in the War,” explains Magni, “and after
the War, because of the instability in Italy, my father and
his brothers decided to emigrate.
“My father came to the country in 1950, he chose a 17
acre site in Randfontein, where the factory still operates
today, and in 1951 he emigrated with his family and was
joined a couple of years later by his two brothers.”
Magni explains that, was it not for the support and
encouragement of a local South African Colonel, the
family may not have emigrated into the country, “We
are very grateful to a gentleman by the name of Arthur

PAGE 2 JUL 13

Aiken, who was a Colonel in the South African army
during the Second World War” he explains.
“Arthur was stationed on one side of the river Arno in
Florence with the South African troops and my family
was on the other with the retreating Germans. He later
became Chairman of Barclays bank and Senior Partner
at Aiken and Carter, a successful Auditing firm; he gave
us a substantial overdraft facility and encouraged us to
come to South Africa. We brought our machinery and
expertise, and it has been a wonderful relationship
ever since.”
With encouragement from Colonel Aiken and the
technical know-how of its founding fathers, Aranda
Textiles quickly established itself as one of South Africa’s
leading textile manufacturers’. The company now has
two modernized factories utilizing state-of-the-art

Aranda Textiles

technology which is run in a vertical operation, consisting
of fibre dyeing, spinning, jacquard and dobby weaving,
finishing, make-up and warehousing.

QUALITY PRODUCTS
Aranda’s main focus is its high quality blankets
and throws which are designed in both classical
and contemporary styles, but Magni says that to be
successful in the textile industry, you need to keep on
top of trends and be ‘forward-thinking’.
“Blankets, rugs and throws have always been the
backbone of our production, although we also used
to produce woollen fabrics such as tweed overcoats,
but those items went out of fashion so we dropped
that line. Instead, we expanded on the actual range of
blankets; everything from fashion and institutional
to tribal.”
“What we really have to do to be successful”
explains Magni, “is read the crystal ball and think way
ahead of time to predict what is going to be popular
and what is going to sell.”
Keeping on top of trends and consumer patterns
has allowed the company to explore new product
ranges such as microfiber throws which have a
superior soft finish, but an old time favourite is Top

Suede which continues to take the market by storm
due to its light-weight, luxurious soft suede finish
which is available in co-ordinated fashion ranges.
Aranda’s product ranges can be found in many
of the country’s leading retailers, “we mainly work
with chains who appreciate quality,” explains Magni,
“for example Mr Price and Woolworths … after all,
Aranda is quality driven.”

“Imports from the Far East, particularly
China have resulted in a far tougher
industry, mainly because their costs of
production are so low…”
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
However, being successful in the textile industry isn’t
all about fashion trends and consumer buying patterns;
pricing is also a very important factor if you want to keep
on top of the competition, Magni explains, “Aranda is
quality driven to the best of its ability, however we have to
be realistic about the fact that we are trading in a viciously
competitive industry.
“Imports from the Far East, particularly China have
resulted in a far tougher industry, mainly because their

JUL 13 PAGE 3

company report

costs of production are kept artificially low and their

“It’s the difference between a Tata and a Mercedes; if a

government is so bent on creating employment at

customer wants a quality product they buy product B, but

whatever costs.

if they want something cheaper, they buy product A.”

“I hate to say this,” regrets Magni, “but the price in

Magni explains that whilst sourcing quality raw

many instances is more important than the product itself,

materials for a fair price is essential , the company is still

whether or not we like it, it’s a fact, and I don’t think

very focussed on putting money back in to the South

it’s a surprise that the Western world is in the state that

African economy, “when it comes to wool we buy South

it is, also because we have simply exported all of our

African Marino Wool, of which we purchase fairly sizeable

jobs to countries that have flown in the face of all the

quantities.”

achievements that we as a Western culture have fought
for for two hundred years; union rights and industry
representation etc.”
However, rather than succumb to the imminent threat
of cheap labour and production costs, Aranda have
developed a range of products for those on a budget to
rival its competition.
“Although the majority of our raw materials are high
quality products such as wool, acrylic, polyester and
cotton, we also produce products that are made from
recycled raw materials which we buy at a cheaper price”
explains Magni.

PAGE 4 JUL 13

NEW EQUIPMENT
In torder to keep producing quality products year on
year, it is essential for textile manufacturers to replace
certain parts of its production capacity, such as machines.
This can however, be extremely capital intensive.
Aranda has always re-invested each year a portion of

“Although the majority of our raw materials
are high quality products such as wool,
acrylic, polyester and cotton, we also
produce products that are made from
recycled raw materials which we buy at a
cheaper price”

company report

its plant, and recently have utilized the help awarded
by government schemes to keep its production lines
efficient and modern.
“Through government’s low-interest schemes, and
also the productivity schemes we have bought new plant
in the past couple of years and we will carry on utilizing
the help as long as the scheme lasts. It is certainly
something that is of great assistance and maybe should
have been introduced a while ago, but better late than
never!” says Magni.
“We all criticise government, and I think rightly so
at times, but in this specific instance I think it has been
tremendously positive, and we are starting to see some
benefits from this.”
Magni concluded by praising the hard work of his
colleagues, staff and those involved in the Aranda
Learnership College which was established over two
PAGE 6 JUL 13

years ago to help disadvantaged individuals further their
training in specific areas.
“We train all sorts of people, some from the streets,
to further their training in all sorts of applications
and industries, and we are happy to report that under
trying circumstances we are holding our own; we have
good people and we are hopeful that the negative
consequences of rapid globalization and the realization
of the chaos that is has caused, maybe starting to
change.”

.

“…we are happy to report that
it is going very well; we have
good people and we foresee a
very bright future.”